Qualitative Research Consultant

Base pay range$35.00/hr - $35.00/hrSH-738 Qualitative Research Consultant, RemoteSummaryPosition Overview: Syra Health is seeking a seasonedSenior Qualitative Research Consultant to strengthen our internal capacity for community-informed research and strategic insights. This pivotal role will lead qualitative research, stakeholder engagement, and communication testing efforts across our portfolio of health equity, behavioral health, and prevention-focused contracts. The ideal candidate will be an empathetic facilitator and a rigorous analyst, dedicated to ensuring that community perspectives and qualitative evidence are integrated into the foundation of our program design, evaluation, and communication strategies.Key Responsibilities• Qualitative Research Design & Strategy• Design and implement robust qualitative study frameworks for community health assessments, program evaluations, and stakeholder engagement initiatives. • Develop comprehensive research materials, including participant recruitment screeners, discussion guides, informed consent forms, and data collection protocols. • Ensure all research activities adhere to project scopes, IRB requirements, and relevant state/federal guidelines. • Data Collection & Facilitation• Moderate focus groups, lead stakeholder listening sessions, and facilitate community engagement meetings (both virtual and in-person).• Conduct in-depth, one-on-one interviews with key informants, agency partners, and community members to capture lived experiences and local context. • Apply trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and inclusive facilitation practices in all interactions. • Analysis & Synthesis• Code and analyze qualitative data using industry-standard software (e.g., NVivo, MAXQDA). • Synthesize complex information to identify cross-cutting themes, stakeholder priorities, and actionable recommendations. • Develop compelling narrative findings, visual summaries, and insight matrices to inform client reports and internal strategic briefs.• Insight Integration & Communication• Translate qualitative findings into practical recommendations for messaging, outreach materials, and behavioral health promotion campaigns. • Collaborate closely with epidemiologists, evaluation analysts, and data visualization teams to triangulate qualitative narratives with quantitative and geospatial data. • Contribute to client-facing deliverables that clearly demonstrate how qualitative evidence directly informs program strategy and decision-making. • Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination• Support and lead engagement with local health departments, community-based organizations, and advisory groups.• Represent Syra Health professionally in stakeholder meetings and presentations of qualitative findings. • Maintain rigorous documentation of research protocols and ensure data integrity and compliance throughout the project lifecycle. Required Qualifications• Master’s degree (MPH, MS, MA) in Public Health, Behavioral Science, Social Science, Communication, or a related discipline. • Minimum of 3 years of professional experience designing and executing qualitative research studies, with at least 2 years applied in public health, health equity, or program evaluation contexts.• Demonstrated expertise in moderating focus groups and conducting in-depth interviews. • Proven strong writing and synthesis skills, with a portfolio of narrative and technical reports. • Direct experience conducting research with marginalized or priority populations (e.g., communities focused on substance use, behavioral health, 2SLGBTQIA+, or health equity). • Deep commitment to cultural competence and equity-minded research practices. Preferred Qualifications• Experience working on state or federal public health contracts (e.g., FSSA, DMHA, CDC Foundation, SAMHSA).• Specific skills in campaign message testing, outreach evaluation, and stakeholder communication. • Familiarity with health communication or behavioral science frameworks (e.g., Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory). • Working knowledge of HIPAA, IRB, and CITI compliance standards. • Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary teams with quantitative data experts. Syra Health is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at all levels. Lived experience and non-traditional backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged.Apply tot his job